Investigating how inflammation and biological sex affect aortic valve calcification

Hydrogel matrices to study the role of inflammation and biological sex on aortic valve fibrocalcification

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · NIH-11132967

This study is looking at how inflammation and whether someone is male or female affect the worsening of aortic valve stenosis, a heart condition that causes the valve to harden, and it aims to find out how these differences might help create better, more personalized treatments for patients.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF COLORADO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11132967 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research explores the impact of inflammation and biological sex on the progression of aortic valve stenosis (AVS), a condition that leads to calcification of the heart valve. By developing specialized 3D models that mimic diseased valve tissue, the study aims to understand how male and female patients experience different rates of valve calcification due to factors like immune response and cellular behavior. The research will focus on the interactions between immune cells and valve cells, as well as the role of genetic factors in these processes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for AVS.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 75 years old who are experiencing symptoms of aortic valve stenosis.

Not a fit: Patients with aortic valve stenosis who are under 21 years old or those without significant disease progression may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options tailored to the specific needs of male and female patients with aortic valve stenosis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that inflammation plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Boulder, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.